Classic Ford Capri Review
1974 saw the release of the Ford Mk2 Capri. Although mechanically very similar to the Mk1, the 1973 oil crisis forced Ford to make some changes. The car was a more everyday affair now, with a shorter bonnet and 'hatchback' boot design to make the car more practical. Although the hatchback did give it superior boot capacity, some rigidity problems were encountered during development and extra metal was needed to fix this problem. This added even more weight to the increasingly heavy car.
Aesthetically the Capri MK2 is a clear descendent of the MK1. The UK engine range remained the same as the post-September 1972 Capri MK1, with one concession. The Corsair V4 engine was replaced with an American-spec Pinto engine, producing 98bhp.
In addition to current range, lots of new trim levels were developed, including the 1600GT and 2000GT, which both had more powerful engines and folding rear seats. A Ghia trim level also appeared, featuring special alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, tinted glass and ‘Rialto’ seat upholstery.
Capri production in Britain stopped in October 1976 due to a drop in sales in America. These sales drops would have led to less production in Cologne, and economics suggested that centralising production at Cologne would make production more cost-effective.
Official reasoning for pulling out of this market was due to the strong Deutschmark making the car more expensive. With America buying one-third of Capris made in Cologne, this must have been devastating. Production of the Mk2 Capri ceased in 1978.